Trump Takes Major U-Turn on Iran Regime Change Amid Ongoing Missile Strikes
In a dramatic policy shift within just 24 hours, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that he does not seek regime change in Iran — a reversal from his earlier remarks hinting at support for a leadership overhaul in Tehran. The development comes amid rising tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States, with fresh missile strikes reported despite Trump’s claim of a ceasefire.
The situation intensified earlier this week when the U.S. conducted unprecedented airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear and military sites. Iran responded by launching missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, where U.S. forces are stationed. The attacks followed Qatar’s decision to temporarily shut down its airspace, signaling broader regional concerns.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump clarified his position. “If it happens, it happens — but I don’t want it. I want things to calm down as soon as possible,” he said, referring to a possible leadership shift in Iran. He acknowledged that regime change often leads to chaos, adding, “Ideally, we want to avoid unnecessary disorder.”
This comes just a day after Trump had hinted at regime change on his social media platform, Truth Social. “While using the term ‘regime change’ might be politically incorrect, if the current Iranian leadership fails to make Iran great again, then why not?” he had posted. The comment was widely interpreted as endorsing an overthrow of the current regime, although he did not explicitly state U.S. involvement.
On Tuesday, Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, claiming that Israeli fighter jets would withdraw and stop attacking Iranian targets. “Israel will not strike Iran. All jets will return. No harm will come to anyone. The ceasefire is in effect!” he declared on Truth Social.
However, this statement quickly unraveled. Explosions and missile sirens were reported in northern Israel later that day. According to Israeli military sources, two Iranian missiles were intercepted mid-air. Trump’s disappointment was evident in his remarks to the press, where he used uncharacteristically harsh language: “I’m not happy with them. I’m not happy with Iran either. But I’m very upset that Israel launched another attack this morning.”
He later posted a warning to Israel on Truth Social, urging restraint and an end to hostilities.
Despite Trump’s diplomatic posturing, the ground situation suggests that neither Iran nor Israel is ready to back down. Iran’s foreign ministry rejected the idea of any ceasefire agreement, reiterating that Tehran would only consider halting operations if Israel stopped its attacks first.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials have remained tight-lipped but assertive. A spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces told The New York Times that there are still several Iranian nuclear sites that have not yet been targeted, indicating that military operations are far from over.
Trump’s rapid pivot on Iran — from supporting regime change to advocating calm — reflects the volatile and unpredictable nature of U.S. diplomacy in this crisis. With continued missile strikes and neither side formally acknowledging a ceasefire, hopes for de-escalation remain slim.